Takeaways from Wisconsin's Frozen Four victory over North Dakota

The Wisconsin Badgers made sure they didn't go to Las Vegas, Nevada, for nothing as they defeated No. 2 North Dakota, 2-1.

Wisconsin secured its first Frozen Four win in 16 years, taking down the Fighting Hawks, a team that previously hadn't given up a goal in their first two NCAA Tournament games.

Now, the Badgers have a chance to win both the men's and women's Frozen Four tournaments. That's something that has only been done once in NCAA history, an honor Wisconsin had back in 2006.

There were two glaring takeaways from their win over North Dakota, and both played a huge difference in a 60-minute game no one expected would go the Badgers' way.

Daniel Hauser was nearly perfect

Hauser gave up a goal in the final minute, but other than that, he was lights out. The broadcast loved to mention the fact he's a 22-year-old freshman, but he looked like an established veteran in the net for Wisconsin against an extremely ferocious North Dakota offense.

The Badgers' goaltender made 21 saves. Keep in mind, the Fighting Hawks scored eight goals in their first two tournament games combined. Somehow, Hauser and company managed to hold them to just one in this Frozen Four matchup.

Wisconsin's early goals were the difference

Wisconsin finished with 15 more shots than North Dakota, but there's no doubt its first-period barrage decided this game. The Fighting Hawks were left stunned, and they couldn't get anything going until the final minute of regulation.

Simon Tassy got on the board at 12:54, and Ryan Botterilli followed him just 27 seconds later. A trio of Badgers earned assists in this one as Wisconsin punched its ticket to the national title game.

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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin hockey North Dakota Frozen Four win takeaways